US5957475A - Offset hitch for use in towing an implement - Google Patents

Offset hitch for use in towing an implement Download PDF

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Publication number
US5957475A
US5957475A US09/100,862 US10086298A US5957475A US 5957475 A US5957475 A US 5957475A US 10086298 A US10086298 A US 10086298A US 5957475 A US5957475 A US 5957475A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
hitch
frame
tractor
draw bar
arm
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
US09/100,862
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English (en)
Inventor
Donald C. Pearen
Lloyd S. Pearen
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
TYHY GARY ALEXANDER
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority to CA002241162A priority Critical patent/CA2241162C/fr
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US09/100,862 priority patent/US5957475A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US5957475A publication Critical patent/US5957475A/en
Assigned to WALLWIN, DAVID, SCHOTT, DAVID reassignment WALLWIN, DAVID ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: PEAREN, DONALD, PEAREN, LLOYD
Assigned to TYHY, GARY ALEXANDER reassignment TYHY, GARY ALEXANDER ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: SCHOTT, DAVID R., WALLWIN, DAVID
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60D—VEHICLE CONNECTIONS
    • B60D1/00—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01B—SOIL WORKING IN AGRICULTURE OR FORESTRY; PARTS, DETAILS, OR ACCESSORIES OF AGRICULTURAL MACHINES OR IMPLEMENTS, IN GENERAL
    • A01B71/00—Construction or arrangement of setting or adjusting mechanisms, of implement or tool drive or of power take-off; Means for protecting parts against dust, or the like; Adapting machine elements to or for agricultural purposes
    • A01B71/06—Special adaptations of coupling means between power take-off and transmission shaft to the implement or machine
    • A01B71/066—Special adaptations of coupling means between power take-off and transmission shaft to the implement or machine for enabling pitch, roll or yaw movements of trailed implements or machines
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01D—HARVESTING; MOWING
    • A01D67/00—Undercarriages or frames specially adapted for harvesters or mowers; Mechanisms for adjusting the frame; Platforms
    • A01D67/005—Arrangements of coupling devices
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S56/00—Harvesters
    • Y10S56/14—Hitch

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an offset hitch apparatus which can be attached to a tractor for towing an implement behind the tractor with the implement offset to one side of the tractor.
  • the apparatus is particularly but not exclusively designed for use in towing a mower behind a tractor so that the mower can effect a cutting action in a ditch while the tractor remains on level ground.
  • the mowing attachment comprises a gang mower defined by a plurality of rotary mower elements connected together in a frame arrangement which may or may not provide pivotal action between each rotary element and the others. Normally the gang mower is towed directly behind the tractor and this provides an effective cutting action on level ground where the mower can be simply pulled centrally and directly behind the tractor.
  • the tractor driver simply drives the tractor in the ditch with the mower towed behind to provide a cutting action directly behind the tractor.
  • some degree of offset can be provided by moving the drawbar hitch of the tractor to one side since most tractors have the ability to allow the hitch to be moved to respective sides of the centre position.
  • this amount of offset is very limited and certainly does not allow the tractor to remain on level ground while the mower is in the ditch.
  • an off-set hitch apparatus for connection of an implement to a tractor comprising:
  • a frame having ground wheels for transportation across the ground, said frame and ground wheels defining an intended direction of working movement;
  • a hitch arm attached to a forward end of the frame at one end of the frame and having a hitch coupling at a forward end of the arm for connecting the offset hitch apparatus to the draw bar hitch of the tractor;
  • a draw bar hitch at a rear end of the frame and offset to one side of a rear end of the hitch arm relative to the direction of working movement for connecting to a hitch coupling of an implement such that the implement is towed at a position offset to said one side from said draw bar hitch of the tractor;
  • the hitch arm being arranged to pivot relative to the direction of working movement about a substantially vertical axis between a first position inclined forwardly and to the side away from the draw bar hitch of the frame and a second position inclined forwardly and to the side toward the draw bar hitch of the frame.
  • the frame comprises two parallel beams at right angles to the direction of movement, a first at the front connected to the hitch arm and the second behind connected to the draw bar hitch and two connecting struts interconnecting the beams.
  • draw bar hitch is directly connected to the second beam.
  • the ground wheels include a first wheel at an end of the frame opposite to the hitch arm which first wheel is mounted at a second end of the frame and a second wheel extending rearwardly from the frame behind the hitch arm.
  • the second wheel is arranged inwardly of the first end of the frame.
  • the drive coupling includes a first gear box on the frame behind the input shaft, a second gear box on the frame in front of the power take-off shaft and a drive shaft interconnecting the first and second gear boxes extending along the frame generally at right angles to the direction of movement.
  • the hitch arm is pivoted manually and locked in place by a pin.
  • the hitch arm is pivoted by a hydraulic cylinder.
  • a hitch apparatus for use in connecting a mower to a tractor for mowing a ditch while the tractor remains out of the ditch on level ground, the tractor having a draw bar hitch and a power take-off shaft at a rear of the tractor, the mower having a hitch coupling at a forward end and a power input shaft at the hitch coupling for receiving input power for driving the mower, the apparatus comprising:
  • a frame having ground wheels for transportation across the ground, said frame and ground wheels defining an intended direction of working movement;
  • a hitch arm attached to a forward end of the frame at one end of the frame and having a hitch coupling at a forward end of the arm for connecting the offset hitch apparatus to the draw bar hitch of the tractor;
  • a draw bar hitch at a rear end of the frame and offset to one side of a rear end of the hitch arm relative to the direction of working movement for connecting to a hitch coupling of an implement such that the implement is towed at a position offset to said one side from said draw bar hitch of the tractor;
  • the hitch arm being arranged to pivot relative to the direction of working movement about a substantially vertical axis between a first position inclined forwardly and to the side away from the draw bar hitch of the frame in which the mower is offset to one side of the tractor for mowing in the ditch and a second position inclined forwardly and to the side toward the draw bar hitch of the frame in which the mower is moved toward a position trailing behind the tractor for transport.
  • FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a hitch apparatus according to the present invention for attachment between a tractor and a mower.
  • FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing the attachment of the apparatus to the tractor and to the mower.
  • FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the apparatus as shown in FIG. 2.
  • a conventional tractor is indicated at 10 and includes a drawbar hitch 11 and a power take off shaft 12.
  • a conventional gang mower is shown at 13 and includes three rotary mower elements 14, 15 and 16 carried on a frame 17.
  • a hitch coupling 18 which is normally directly connected to the drawbar hitch 11 together with a power input shaft 19 which is normally connected to the power take off shaft 12 and provides drive through a series of drive shaft elements 20 to respective ones of the rotary mower elements.
  • an offset hitch apparatus generally indicated at 30 connected between the drawbar hitch 11 of the tractor and the hitch coupling 18 of the mower.
  • the apparatus 30 comprises a frame 31 mounted on ground wheels 32 and 33 for rolling movement across the ground in a direction of normal working movement indicated at D.
  • the frame further includes a hitch arm 34 with a hitch coupling 35 at the forward end for connection to the drawbar hitch 11 of the tractor.
  • the frame further includes a draw bar hitch 36 for connection to the hitch coupling 18 of the mower.
  • the frame 31 includes a front beam 37 and a rear beam 38 both of which are parallel and at right angles to the direction D.
  • the frame are interconnected by side struts 39 and 40 at right angles to the beams and at the ends of the beams.
  • the wheel 33 is mounted on a spindle 41 welded to the outside surface of the strut 40.
  • the wheel 32 is mounted on an arm 42 extending rearwardly from the rear surface of the rear beam 38.
  • the wheel 32 includes a spindle 43 extending at right angles to the arm 42.
  • the wheel 32 is mounted at or just inside the outside surface of the strut 39.
  • the frame thus forms a rectangular frame structure with the spindles 41 and 43 lying in a common plane with the rectangular frame structure.
  • the frame further includes a pair of cross members 45 and 46 parallel to the struts 39 and 40 and spaced inwardly therefrom.
  • the hitch arm 34 is mounted for pivotal movement on a bracket 47 on the front face of the beam 37 at the end adjacent the strut 39.
  • the hitch arm 34 thus extends forwardly from the beam 37 in a common plane with the frame structure and can pivot about a vertical axis defined by a pivot pin 48 at the bracket 47.
  • the hitch arm 34 can be locked in a plurality of different positions by a locking mechanism defined by a locking plate 49 having a plurality of holes 50 which cooperate with a hole 51 in the arm 34 allowing the arm to be locked in place by a pin passing through a selected one of the holes 50.
  • An input shaft coupling 52A is arranged for connection to the PTO shaft 12 of the tractor.
  • the input shaft coupling 52A connects to a drive shaft 52 communicating with a first angle gear box 53.
  • An output of the gear box 53 communicates to a drive shaft 54 extending along the frame generally at right angles to the direction D.
  • the drive shaft 54 drives a second right angle gear box 55 with an output 56 forming a power take off shaft for connection to the drive coupling 19 of the mower.
  • the gear boxes 53 and 55 are mounted for support on the cross members 45 and 46.
  • Hydraulic hoses 70 and 71 are routed across the frame in a suitable path from quick connectors 72 and 73 at the forward end of the hitch arm to quick connectors 74 and 75 at the draw bar hitch 36 to supply hydraulic fluid from the tractor to the mower.
  • the hoses are held in place at the selected path by suitable tie downs 77.
  • the locking arrangement 49 is replaced by a hydraulic cylinder 60 which can drive the hitch arm 34 to the required position about the pivot pin 48.
  • the tractor In operation, in the position shown in FIG. 1, with the hitch arm 34 pivoted to a position so that it extends at an angle A forwardly and to the outside of the strut 39 relative to the direction D, the tractor can run on level ground with its inside wheel running at the top of a ditch and also the inside wheel 32 of the hitch 30 running approximately at the top of the ditch.
  • the outer end of the frame of the hitch 30 and the wheel 33 extend into the ditch so the frame then inclines downwardly into the ditch.
  • the hitch outer 36 for the mower is therefore located adjacent the outer end of the frame within the ditch and allows the mower to be pulled along the ditch with the inside edge of the mower running at the top of the ditch and the outside edge of the mower running at a position spaced across the ditch.
  • the hitch arm 34 is pivoted to a position extending forwardly and to the opposite side at an angle B to the direction D. This moves the frame and the apparatus 30 inwardly to trail approximately symmetrically behind the tractor and also moves the hitch 36 across the mower is still offset but offset by a significantly reduced amount. The mower is therefore trailed closer to a position directly behind the tractor for transport or for conventional mowing in the field.
  • the positioning of the wheel 32 rearwardly of the frame reduces the tendency of the hitch to twist about the connection to the tractor due to the torque that is applied to the hitch apparatus by the turning forces applied to the mower.

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Soil Sciences (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Agricultural Machines (AREA)
  • Harvester Elements (AREA)
US09/100,862 1998-06-19 1998-06-22 Offset hitch for use in towing an implement Expired - Fee Related US5957475A (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002241162A CA2241162C (fr) 1998-06-19 1998-06-19 Attelage decentre concu pour tirer un instrument
US09/100,862 US5957475A (en) 1998-06-19 1998-06-22 Offset hitch for use in towing an implement

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002241162A CA2241162C (fr) 1998-06-19 1998-06-19 Attelage decentre concu pour tirer un instrument
US09/100,862 US5957475A (en) 1998-06-19 1998-06-22 Offset hitch for use in towing an implement

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US5957475A true US5957475A (en) 1999-09-28

Family

ID=25680314

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US09/100,862 Expired - Fee Related US5957475A (en) 1998-06-19 1998-06-22 Offset hitch for use in towing an implement

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US5957475A (fr)
CA (1) CA2241162C (fr)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6068063A (en) * 1998-02-27 2000-05-30 Flexi-Coil Ltd. Hydraulic connection circuit between first and active hydraulic circuits
US6168182B1 (en) * 1999-03-03 2001-01-02 Billy C. Ford Y-shaped tow bar having a channel adapted to conceal and protect an associated cable
US20030140610A1 (en) * 2002-01-25 2003-07-31 Boyko Stanley Joseph Variable offset rotary mower apparatus
EP1405553A1 (fr) 2002-10-02 2004-04-07 Schulte Industries Ltd. Remorque latérale pour faucheuses rotatives ou similaires
US20040221558A1 (en) * 2003-05-07 2004-11-11 Donald Stevenson Articulated power transfer apparatus
US20060288681A1 (en) * 2005-06-10 2006-12-28 Daniel Kuzub Vertical pivoting arm apparatus for offset towing
US20080100032A1 (en) * 2004-09-16 2008-05-01 Jost-Werke Gmbh & Co., Kg Connector Bracket of a Trailer
US8668173B2 (en) * 2011-07-27 2014-03-11 Cnh America Llc Apparatus for retaining fluid hoses to a farm implement frame
US12102039B1 (en) 2020-11-30 2024-10-01 Alamo Group Inc. Variable offset hitch and related work machines

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2702193A (en) * 1951-05-21 1955-02-15 Copeman Lab Co Two-wheel steerable vehicle
US2709085A (en) * 1951-11-09 1955-05-24 Richard O Stueland Multiple implement hitch
US3142144A (en) * 1961-07-03 1964-07-28 Archer Daniels Midland Co Roadable wide working-width machine
US3295299A (en) * 1964-09-11 1967-01-03 Brady Mfg Corp Agricultural machine
US4577881A (en) * 1985-06-19 1986-03-25 Gerber Jerome J Implement hitch assembly
US4586724A (en) * 1983-04-08 1986-05-06 Massey-Ferguson Services N.V. Hitch assembly
US5082217A (en) * 1991-03-27 1992-01-21 Deere & Company Hydraulic hose support for an implement

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2702193A (en) * 1951-05-21 1955-02-15 Copeman Lab Co Two-wheel steerable vehicle
US2709085A (en) * 1951-11-09 1955-05-24 Richard O Stueland Multiple implement hitch
US3142144A (en) * 1961-07-03 1964-07-28 Archer Daniels Midland Co Roadable wide working-width machine
US3295299A (en) * 1964-09-11 1967-01-03 Brady Mfg Corp Agricultural machine
US4586724A (en) * 1983-04-08 1986-05-06 Massey-Ferguson Services N.V. Hitch assembly
US4577881A (en) * 1985-06-19 1986-03-25 Gerber Jerome J Implement hitch assembly
US5082217A (en) * 1991-03-27 1992-01-21 Deere & Company Hydraulic hose support for an implement

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6068063A (en) * 1998-02-27 2000-05-30 Flexi-Coil Ltd. Hydraulic connection circuit between first and active hydraulic circuits
US6168182B1 (en) * 1999-03-03 2001-01-02 Billy C. Ford Y-shaped tow bar having a channel adapted to conceal and protect an associated cable
US20030140610A1 (en) * 2002-01-25 2003-07-31 Boyko Stanley Joseph Variable offset rotary mower apparatus
US6854250B2 (en) * 2002-01-25 2005-02-15 Stanley Joseph Boyko Variable offset rotary mower apparatus
EP1405553A1 (fr) 2002-10-02 2004-04-07 Schulte Industries Ltd. Remorque latérale pour faucheuses rotatives ou similaires
US20040221558A1 (en) * 2003-05-07 2004-11-11 Donald Stevenson Articulated power transfer apparatus
US7334645B2 (en) 2003-05-07 2008-02-26 Degelman Industries Ltd. Articulated power transfer apparatus
US20080100032A1 (en) * 2004-09-16 2008-05-01 Jost-Werke Gmbh & Co., Kg Connector Bracket of a Trailer
US7758059B2 (en) * 2004-09-16 2010-07-20 Jost-Werke Gmbh Connector bracket of a trailer
US20060288681A1 (en) * 2005-06-10 2006-12-28 Daniel Kuzub Vertical pivoting arm apparatus for offset towing
US8668173B2 (en) * 2011-07-27 2014-03-11 Cnh America Llc Apparatus for retaining fluid hoses to a farm implement frame
US12102039B1 (en) 2020-11-30 2024-10-01 Alamo Group Inc. Variable offset hitch and related work machines

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2241162A1 (fr) 1999-03-12
CA2241162C (fr) 1999-12-28

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: SCHOTT, DAVID, CANADA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:PEAREN, DONALD;PEAREN, LLOYD;REEL/FRAME:010901/0471

Effective date: 20000606

Owner name: WALLWIN, DAVID, CANADA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:PEAREN, DONALD;PEAREN, LLOYD;REEL/FRAME:010901/0471

Effective date: 20000606

AS Assignment

Owner name: TYHY, GARY ALEXANDER, MANITOBA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:WALLWIN, DAVID;SCHOTT, DAVID R.;REEL/FRAME:013447/0916

Effective date: 20030221

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FPAY Fee payment

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LAPS Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees
STCH Information on status: patent discontinuation

Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362

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Effective date: 20110928